Second Battle of Fair Oaks

Sunday, October 30, 1864

On Wednesday the Thirteenth New Hampshire received orders to prepare three days rations and to be on the march by 5:00 A.M. the following morning. The purpose of the objective was to turn the Confederate flank south of Petersburg and gain control of the railroads. On Thursday the Thirteenth departed from Fort Harrison, marched nearly fifteen miles, and deployed as skirmishers along the Williamsburg Pike near Fair Oaks. A Union advance against the Confederates under General James Longstreet was repulsed at a heavy cost, and the Union army retreated after nightfall under the cover of darkness. The Union had advanced to within four miles of Richmond before retreat. In the short, ill-fated encounter the Union suffered casualties of 1,100 killed, wounded, or missing. The Thirteenth New Hampshire suffered casualties of two men wounded and five men captured. The Thirteenth formed a new camp to the right of Fort Harrison, where they ended the week on picket duty.¹

References:
¹S. Millett Thompson, Thirteenth Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865 : A Diary Covering Three Years and a Day (Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1888), 498-508.

Inspection at Fort Harrison

Sunday, October 23, 1864

During the week the Thirteenth New Hampshire were employed in bolstering the defenses of Fort Harrison. Many starving Confederate soldiers deserted and approached the camp for food. On Saturday General Ulysses S. Grant inspected the fort's defenses.¹

References:
¹S. Millett Thompson, Thirteenth Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865 : A Diary Covering Three Years and a Day (Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1888), 495-497.

General Grant Visits Fort Harrison

Sunday, October 16, 1864

During the week Generals Ulysses S. Grant, George Meade, and Benjamin Butler visited Fort Harrison to inspect the troops and the defenses around the fort. General Grant encouraged the Confederates near the fort to desert; when some of the Confederates accepted the invitation, they were fired upon by their own men. Today the Thirteenth transferred their camp to the opposite side of Fort Harrison. The Second Brigade Band performed for the soldiers, encouraging and brightening the mood at camp.¹

References:
¹S. Millett Thompson, Thirteenth Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865 : A Diary Covering Three Years and a Day (Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1888), 493-495.

Defense of Fort Harrison

Sunday, October 9, 1864

During this week the Thirteenth New Hampshire Regiment worked day and night to strengthen the entrenchments at Fort Harrison. The Thirteenth toiled under extreme conditions of exposure and deprivation under Confederate artillery fire. Rumors circulated around the camp that General Robert E. Lee and Confederate President Jefferson Davis were in the vicinity to examine the strength of the defenses around Fort Harrison.¹

References:
¹S. Millett Thompson, Thirteenth Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865 : A Diary Covering Three Years and a Day (Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1888), 490-493.

Capture of Fort Harrison

Sunday, October 2, 1864

On Wednesday the Thirteenth New Hampshire Regiment was ordered to march with two days cooked rations to New Market Heights. On Thursday the Thirteenth New Hampshire was engaged in the attack and capture of Fort Harrison. Today the Thirteenth New Hampshire was deployed as part of the fort's garrison, exhausted from the three-day siege. ¹

References:
¹S. Millett Thompson, Thirteenth Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865 : A Diary Covering Three Years and a Day (Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1888), 456-490.

Sheridan's Victories in the Shenandoah Valley

Sunday, September 25, 1864

The Thirteenth New Hampshire Regiment spent a cool, rainy, and uneventful week in camp at Petersburg. On Saturday the news of Union Cavalry Major General Philip Sheridan's victories against Confederate General Jubal Early at Third Winchester and Fisher Hill in the Shenandoah Valley reached camp, followed by celebration, cheering, and cannon salutes. Today the Thirteenth once again engaged in the regular Sunday practice of inspection, dress parade, and religious services. ¹

References:
¹S. Millett Thompson, Thirteenth Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865 : A Diary Covering Three Years and a Day (Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1888), 453-456.

Advanced Picket Duty around Petersburg

Sunday, September 18, 1864

The Thirteenth New Hampshire Regiment spent another week in camp Petersburg. Pickets are far advanced to half the distance between lines, resulting in less enemy fire from sharpshooters in camp. On Wednesday severe fighting occurred along the front lines. Many cases of fever are reported in the Thirteenth, caused by the swampy conditions around camp. Today the Thirteenth once again engaged in the regular Sunday practice of inspection, dress parade, and religious services. ¹

References:
¹S. Millett Thompson, Thirteenth Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865 : A Diary Covering Three Years and a Day (Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1888), 449-452.

Camp Duties at Petersburg

Sunday, September 11, 1864

The Thirteenth New Hampshire Regiment spent another week in camp Petersburg, alternating between picket duty and digging entrenchments. Today the Thirteenth once again engaged in the Sunday routine of inspection, dress parade, and religious services.¹

References:
¹S. Millett Thompson, Thirteenth Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865 : A Diary Covering Three Years and a Day (Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1888), 449-452.

Return to Sunday Routine

Sunday, September 4, 1864

The Thirteenth New Hampshire Regiment spent most of their week in camp at the rear of the lines around Petersburg. Today the Thirteenth engaged in the former Sunday practice of inspection, dress parade, and religious services. Many months of combat on the front lines had made dress parades an infrequent practice. ¹

References:
¹S. Millett Thompson, Thirteenth Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865 : A Diary Covering Three Years and a Day (Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1888), 448-449.

Return to Camp

Sunday, August 28, 1864

The Thirteenth New Hampshire remained in the front rifle trenches which had dried up during the week as the rain ended and fairer weather returned. The Thirteenth was constantly exposed to front, rear, and enfilade fire during their time in the trenches. On Friday evening the Thirteenth was finally relieved by the Tenth Corps and began a night march to their old camp near Bermuda Hundred, arriving thoroughly exhausted at 4:00 A.M. on Saturday morning. Today the Thirteenth removed to a location near their camp position in May, between Batteries Three and Four. ¹

References:
¹S. Millett Thompson, Thirteenth Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865 : A Diary Covering Three Years and a Day (Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1888), 444-448.

In the Muddy Trenches

Sunday, August 21, 1864

The Thirteenth New Hampshire remained in the front rifle trenches all week, this time with new challenges from the weather. The relentless heat broke on Monday with heavy rain showers which continued intermittently for the entire week. Rain filled the trenches and the men were constantly at work to repair the damage done by the rain and ensuing mud. By the end of today the water in the front trenches was two-and-one-half feet deep. ¹

References:
¹S. Millett Thompson, Thirteenth Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865 : A Diary Covering Three Years and a Day (Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1888), 440-444.

Relentless Heat Takes a Toll

Sunday, August 14, 1864

The Thirteenth New Hampshire was deployed the entire week at the front rifle trenches, building a small fort near the Ravine Camp behind the front lines. Since the end of July the temperatures had been holding steadily over 100 degrees during the day with minimal cooling at night. During this morning’s inspection several men of the Thirteenth were overcome by the unrelenting heat.¹

References:
¹S. Millett Thompson, Thirteenth Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865 : A Diary Covering Three Years and a Day (Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1888), 436-440.

Confederate Mine Rumors

Sunday, August 7, 1864

The Thirteenth New Hampshire experienced another excruciating week of intensely hot and dry weather, beginning in the rear trenches near camp and ending in the front trenches. Sunstroke took its toll on the men on duty in the trenches. The Thirteenth heard rumors of Confederates digging mining underneath their position at the front, but few believed them. ¹

References:
¹S. Millett Thompson, Thirteenth Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865 : A Diary Covering Three Years and a Day (Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1888), 434-436.

Flag of Truce

Sunday, July 31, 1864

The Thirteenth New Hampshire spent another hot day in the front rifle trenches approximately five-hundred feet from the crate of the mine explosion the day before. The Union raised a flag of truce to bury their dead but the Confederates were slow to respond. In the evening the Thirteenth is relieved by the Sixth New Hampshire and returns to the camp at the rear lines, with many of the dead and wounded still on the field of battle around the crater. ¹

References:
¹S. Millett Thompson, Thirteenth Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865 : A Diary Covering Three Years and a Day (Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1888), 434.

Battle of the Crater

Saturday, July 30, 1864

The Thirteenth New Hampshire arrived at their new position in the rear of the Ninth Corps as support at 3:00 A.M. A mine underneath the Confederate position exploded at 4:40 A.M., leaving a wide crater, and the Ninth Corps charged into the thirty-foot deep crater to overtake the Confederates. The Eighteenth Corps remained along the front lines in support. The attack ended in massive failure for the Union, as the Confederates charged to the defense of their men by lining along the rim of the gaping hole and firing into the men of the Ninth Corps inside the crater. Massive losses from death or capture for the Ninth Corps were the tragic result of the catastrophic episode. Casualties mounted to nearly 5,000 for the Union and 1,000 for the Confederacy. ¹

References:
¹S. Millett Thompson, Thirteenth Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865 : A Diary Covering Three Years and a Day (Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1888), 431-432.

Orders to March

Friday, July 29, 1864

After remaining primarily in the rear trenches for most of the week the Thirteenth New Hampshire is ordered to march with the Eighteenth Corps at nightfall with two days rations. Their destination is to the rear of the Ninth Corps, about four miles away from their camp.¹

References:
¹S. Millett Thompson, Thirteenth Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865 : A Diary Covering Three Years and a Day (Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1888), 430-431.

Rain and Shelling at Camp

Sunday, July 24, 1864

After heavy rain on Tuesday the Thirteenth New Hampshire returned to the front rifle pits on Wednesday to repair the damage created by the rainfall. Once again the Thirteenth was subjected to heavy artillery and picket fire and returned to camp in the rear lines on Saturday evening. In the earlier hours this morning the camp experienced some of the heaviest shelling received to date. During the day the Thirteenth experienced some relief from the heat with cooler temperatures and rain in the evening. ¹

References:
¹S. Millett Thompson, Thirteenth Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865 : A Diary Covering Three Years and a Day (Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1888), 427-429.

Intensely Hot Weather at the Front

Sunday, July 17, 1864

The Thirteenth New Hampshire Regiment endured another grueling week of blistering temperatures in the front rifle trenches. This evening the Thirteenth received their relief by men of the Third Brigade and retired safely to camp in the rear lines ¹

References:
¹S. Millett Thompson, Thirteenth Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865 : A Diary Covering Three Years and a Day (Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1888), 425-427.

Worn Down in the Trenches

Sunday, July 10, 1864

The Thirteenth New Hampshire Regiment endured another intensely hot and dangerous week mainly in the front rifle trenches along the Appomattox River. In the advanced position on the front the Thirteenth New Hampshire had been subjected to rifle, artillery, and mortar fire, requiring the utmost vigilance. At this time the Thirteenth New Hampshire was able to muster only one-hundred and fifty men that were fit for duty. ¹

References:
¹S. Millett Thompson, Thirteenth Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865 : A Diary Covering Three Years and a Day (Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1888), 423-425.

Report from the Front Lines

Sunday, July 3, 1864

The Thirteenth New Hampshire endured an intensely hot week in the trenches along the Appomattox River. On Thursday the Confederates shelled their position for nearly an hour with forty to fifty rounds of artillery per minute, and the Thirteenth was lucky to report only one minor injury from the barrage. During the week it was noted that the Army of the James had suffered casualties of 6,903 men killed, wounded, and missing since May 4, and that the Army of the Potomac had suffered 61,400 casualties for the same period. Today the Thirteenth moved along the left of the line to a temporary position halfway between Battery Five and Petersburg.¹

References:
¹S. Millett Thompson, Thirteenth Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865 : A Diary Covering Three Years and a Day (Boston, Massachusetts: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1888), 419-423.